• Service all heating systems and all gas-, oil- or coal-burning appliances by a technician annually.

• Install a battery-operated and electric-powered carbon monoxide detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. If the detector sounds, leave your home immediately and call 911.

• Contact a doctor if you believe you have carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Do not use gas-powered devices such as a generator, grill or stove inside your home, basement or near a near a window or door. Generators should be operated more than 15 feet from the home.

• Do not run any gas-powered motor inside a closed structure, such as a garage.

Thursday, May 17, 2012 CASE SUMMARY On 05/03/12 around 1000 am Swatara Township Police and Fire (49, 41, 40) along with Lifeteam were dispatched to the Super 8 Hotel off of Eisenhower Boulevard for a barricaded person involving hazardous materials.

Ammonium Nitrate Safety Bulletin Ammonium Nitrate (AN) is a chemical compound widely used in agriculture and industry. AN can also be present at transportation incidents on land, sea, and air. It is a powerful oxidizer and can rapidly accelerate and intensify fire conditions and explosions.Download: Ammonium+Nitrate+Safety+Bulletin.pdf

FYI, from Michigan State Police Flood Water Sensors As we approach flood season, I thought I would resend this one: Attached is an updated bulletin regarding flood water sensors which have been placed in various locations to measure flood water levels by the United States Geological Survey.Download: Flood water sensors (1).pdf

This presentation was made following the incident. We didn’t contact them for any information and used information found on the web and TV interview. I used it for training WWC HMRT and LFD.Download: Louisville Train Derailment.pptx

Last week, George Lovell from Detroit Hazmat (DHMRU) responded to an actual suicide by hydrogen sulfide. The victim killed themselves in a car. George felt that if the victim had not bothered to lock the doors, the initial responders may have also been felled by the lethal fumes. They simply couldn't get into the car. The DHMRU responded to the call after someone alertly recognized it for a hazmat scene.

Brief History of Western Wayne County Hazardous Materials Response Team: The Western Wayne County HMRT was formed in 1987 by the Western Wayne Fire Department Mutual Aid Association (WWFDMAA) through the cooperation of 23 communities. The team currently has 45 members that come from Mutual Aid Associations Fire Department that are located within the Detroit metropolitan area

Knowing how to operate all of our equipment can be worrisome. This is because we learned on older equipment at tech school. Operate array gear on the team, other departments and teams, and at different schools we’ve attended.

Over the last few years, the team has doubled its inventory, continue to add new technology. And at times, find it extremely hard to train everyone on each piece of equipment.

Like any other skill, you lose it if you don’t use it. So, our “street smarts” kicked in and we developed “cheat sheets” for all of our equipment. We laminated each sheet and stuck them in each case. Now, every member on the team is able to retrieve the specific item, start it up and place it into service.

We’re not big fans of reinventing the wheel. Actually, we like the KISS method, and had grate success with this. If you have a different way, and it works for you, don’t change it.

You are free to use, change or modify them. The only thing we ask is that you give credit where credit is due.

If your team uses “cheat sheets”, and would like to share them. Please email them to me and I’ll post them.

In the past decade, the problem of clandestine drug labs has skyrocketed as the meth phenomenon spreads from rural locations to the suburbs and to cities, and from the western states eastward. As of 2009, Western Wayne County HMRT has had three meth lab incidents, and approximately 15,000 labs had been seized in the US by the DEA and local law enforcement. Most of these labs manufacture meth, a highly addictive drug whose reach has cut swag across all segments of society, from soccer moms trying to lose weight, to businessmen trying to stay awake, to back alley druggies searching for a better high

Emergency personnel, who are likely to discover a lab during a routine response, are also increasingly at risk. Most drug lab incidents are usually reported as other emergencies. In fact, up to a third of all illegal labs are found because of an explosion or fire some examples of calls that could be drug lab related include medical aid calls with burn or smoke inhalation victims; “man down” calls; structure fires, rubbish fires, perhaps accompanied by explosions or “loud booms;” and calls for investigation of smoke, strange odors, sick buildings, or illegal dumping. One key safety issue is the fact that one pound of produced meth will generate up to five or more pounds of hazardous waste. Meth lab operators typically are not concerned with safety issues when disposing of this waste, which may present a fatal or dangerous threat to anyone encountering it.

Police, hazmat teams and other responders also put themselves at risk during raids on suspected drug labs, which may have the potential to escalate into a hazmat situation or fire without careful planning and inter-agency cooperation.

Anhydrous Ammonia: Anhydrous ammonia is a key ingredient in the production of meth. Exposure to this poisonous gas is the leading cause of injuries to emergency responders. Inhalation of the gas and vapors can burn the nose, throat and respiratory tract. This can cause bronchiolar and alveolar edema, and airway destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure.

Booby traps & bombs: Operators of drug labs will go to great lengths to ensure the security of their labs. The use of booby traps and Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) are common. There may be trip wires, lamp socket explosive devices, door jam activated explosives, and containers of corrosives rigged over doorways. The lab itself might be wired to explode or catch fire in an attempt to destroy evidence of the operation. These devices are sometimes designed to protect the lab while they are away and also serve as warning devices to aid in the owner's or operator's escape. Unfortunately, they can also incapacitate responders.

Confined Spaces: Clandestine labs may be operated in a confined space, which can lead to several hazards including incompatible, reactive chemicals being mixed and cooked in a location with no ventilation. Several recent labs have been found inside of tunnels, caves, trenches and other well-hidden locations. Remember that to enter a confined space a responder must be adequately trained and equipped. Only competently trained staff may undertake these types of operations.

Damaged compressed gas cylinders: All compressed gases are potentially hazardous because of the high pressure stored inside the cylinder. Some containers may be damaged or leaking due to improper handling or improper materials being stored. A damaged cylinder can cause a sudden release of pressure, propelling the cylinder or whipping a line, injuring anyone in its path.

Electrical hazards/sources of ignition: During a lab raid, hot plates, containers, switches, or timers should not be touched or operated. Cooks may “pirate” electricity from power poles and other locations using unsafe wiring. Multiple power cords may be in use including running to and from generators. Also active cooking may involve the use of campground stoves and hot plates, which could introduce open flames to the environment.

Flammable/explosive atmospheres: A variety of flammable liquids will be found in any illicit drug lab. Among them are ethyl ether, alcohol, acetone; camp stove fuel, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, and benzene. It is the vapors of these chemicals that can ignite. Poor ventilation increases the risks both of explosions and of toxic fume inhalation. On the other hand, good ventilation spreads toxic fumes outside, putting other people at risk.

Infectious diseases: Vernon is particularly forceful in cautioning his students about the incidence of AIDS and other infectious diseases among meth users: “On a recent clandestine drug lab bust in the southeastern U.S., the cook was suffering from a rectal bleed and had bled all over the house, floors and himself. He was also suffering from multiple infectious diseases. Responders must utilize proper PPE when dealing with these types of individuals.”

Lithium: One method of meth production involves using lithium that has been stripped from batteries and added to ammonia and used as a catalyst. Lithium is a flammable solid that reacts violently with water. Firefighting operations at drug labs present additional hazards with the presence of water reactive materials.

Mis-identified chemical containers: Containers found in clandestine laboratories may not contain what the labels identify. Other containers may be filled with incompatible materials. One of the most common found at meth lab sites is propane tanks filled with anhydrous ammonia. It is important to treat all materials as unknowns.

On-going chemical reactions: This is a serious problem at labs and also at dump sites, which are often discovered by people who are untrained in the hazards or symptoms of meth operations. In general, meth cooks do not separate chemicals, but rather bag them together. When discarded in this manner, this can cause environmental damage, and potentially be a fatal threat to anyone who encounters a dumpsite unexpectedly and unprotected.

Phosphine gas: If overheated, the red phosphorus production of meth can create phosphine gas, which is extremely toxic when inhaled. This is particularly hazardous for firefighters and others who respond to fires and explosions at lab fires.

Red Phosphorus: One of the principal methods of meth production involves Red Phosphorus (Red P), a flammable solid, which is collected from large quantities of matchbook strikers or from road flares. Red P may explode as a result of contact or friction, and inhalation of dust can cause respiratory tract irritation, coughing, bronchitis even death. In the lab, Red P is combined with elemental iodine and water to produce hydriodic acid which then converts ephedrine or pseudoephedrine to meth. If the reaction is heated dry, phosphine gas can be produced.

Solvents: Solvents are flammable liquids used to dissolve a substance. At meth labs, camp stove fuel, ether, alcohol, and acetone are some solvents used. Exposure to solvents can cause damage to the nervous system, liver and kidneys, respiratory system, and even, cancer.

Tincture of Iodine: Tincture of Iodine, an extremely strong oxidizer, and iodine crystals may also be found in a lab. Iodine vapors are formed when crystals are stored in a closed container and are toxic when released. Iodine crystals are corrosive to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.

Unstable people: Perhaps as dangerous as the chemicals are the criminals involved in methamphetamine manufacturing. Both the supplier and buyer may be meth users whose behavior can be unpredictable and dangerous. According to Vernon, “Meth is central nervous stimulant. It can be injected, inhaled and smoked. Chronic users, called Tweakers,” will use high levels of the drugs every few hours during binges. This often results in the abuser staying awake for periods up to a week and experiencing extreme irritability from sleep depravation, increased nervousness, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations and violent or erratic behavior. Responders need to be very careful when dealing with these individuals.

Weapons: It should be assumed that cookers almost always carry weapons to protect themselves and their labs, and will not be afraid to use them. Many experienced law enforcement officers believe that meth lab operators are inclined to use violence and weapons when faced with arrest.

Over the last few years we have seen a steady increase in mercury spills, from residential to commercial property. Small thermometers to jar’s. We’ve even seen a hole parking lot excavated because of a small spill, and part of fire station closed from mercury.

The biggest problem we encounter with mercury, is firefighter contamination and cross contamination of their apparatuses. We have discarded numerous sets of boots, complete sets of turnout gear. Removed apparatuses from service for weeks for decontamination. I’ve even seen a fire station decon because of mercury contamination.

This training and resource manual was developed for Western Wayne County Fire Department Mutual Aid Association by Western Wayne County HMRT as a resource for educating their fire department members and the community on the dangers of mercury.

Mercury has been used throughout history, and although many of its historic uses are no longer prevalent, mercury is still commonly found in households, schools, medical facilities, and industry. Mercury spills can be prevented if it’s sources are removed.

This manual provides the following information and resources for reducing the presence of mercury in the community:

What is mercury?

Where is mercury located?

How do you get exposed to mercury?

What are mercury’s health effects?

What do you do if a mercury spill occurs?

Who provides mercury training workshops?

What resources do you need at a spill?

Sample SOG/SOP’s and more.

You are free to use, change or modify the program. The only thing we ask is that you give credit where credit is due.

Special thanks to Ohio & Michigan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ohio & Michigan Department of Health, Bowling Green State, University of Michigan, Michigan Department Natural Resources and Environmental Quality, and numerous response groups and regulatory organizations for their assistance in making the program possible.

Much warning has been given on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from fires. But there is another danger to firefighters and victims in structural fires which is less recognized, and that is acute cyanide poisoning. The dangerous hydrogen cyanide fumes can be given off even after the fire is out but the material is still smoldering. Very mild cases might be shrugged off as a headache, but concentrations of a couple of hundred parts per million in air can kill within a few minutes. Antidotes are available which are effective if administrated quickly, but the wrong diagnosis can also result in death. It is important to recognize the difference between hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Incidents are happening on a daily basis without any indication that these toxic substances are affecting firefighters. Annually, there are an estimated 20,000 residential structure fires that are caused by mattresses, pillows and bedding materials all of which are likely to contain synthetic materials that release hydrogen cyanide when they burn or smolder. When ignited, these same materials cause a fire to burn two to three times hotter and faster than natural products allowing fires to reach flashover much more quickly.

During a fire, cyanide poisoning affects a victim by cellular asphyxiation. As the victim inhales hydrogen cyanide it creates lactic acid within the tissues and muscles which inhibits the victim's ability to exit the structure on his or her own. As a result, the victim breathes in carbon monoxide and becomes unresponsive. Once found, they may be treated medically for carbon monoxide instead of hydrogen cyanide poisoning. The medical treatment for carbon monoxide inhalation can revive the patient, however, without a cyanide antidote kit, the lasting effects of hydrogen cyanide poisoning can create enduring medical complications.

Cyanide is a toxin with the potential to cause rapid death. It is clear that the number of firefighters and patients affected by cyanide each year has been under-recognized and under-treated in this country. Familiarization with this byproduct of combustion must be addressed by the fire and medical communities, as well as the general public, to prevent unnecessary exposure to this toxic substance. Hospital physicians must be educated on the increased likelihood of firefighters presenting with cyanide induced cardiac events and must be aware that Carboxyhemoglobin and cyanide levels should be drawn as soon as possible given the short half-life of cyanide in the blood.

Present day firefighters are no longer fighting the combustible fires that their forefathers fought. They are fighting highly volatile chemical fires that are burning two to three times hotter due to the introduction of plastic and synthetic furnishings. They are fighting fires that have an increased chance of producing flashovers and extremely toxic levels of poisonous substances such as hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide.

In light of these facts, firefighters at all levels need to be re-educated about fire behavior. They need to learn how to predict and anticipate both the behavior of a fire and the type of smoke that it will generate. Firefighters also need to learn the proper protective equipment to be worn during the fire, after it is extinguished, and during salvage and investigation. Armed with this information, they can reduce job-related injuries and line-of-duty deaths.

Pictures of meth labs can help renters and home owners can help them identify a meth lab home, just by observing the inside and outside of the home. Pictures are not the only way to identify a meth lab however, as there is no standard situation when it comes to meth labs. But, these pictures may help you to become familiar with some of what you might see inside and outside of a property that is being used or has been used to manufacture methamphetamine.

This is by no means a complete list and is only presented here as another tool to help you identify a “possible” meth lab scene. If you do not see any similarities between these pictures and your home, you should not assume that your home was never a meth lab. If neighbors tell you that they suspect that the previous occupants of your home had drug problems, listen to what they’re telling you! Also, call the police and the health department and ask them if they have any records about your home.

Keep in mind that meth lab clean up contractors say that very few homes that have been used to make meth have ever been busted and/or placed on a quarantined list.

Neighbors may, in fact know more about a house and its occupants, than the police or the health department. Talk to neighbors who have lived in the neighborhood for a long time – the longer the better.

Lastly, know that the only way to positively identify meth contamination in your house is to have the home tested for the chemicals used to make meth.

Chemical stains on flooring

Chemical staining on walls and floors often result when chemicals spill during the meth cook. Floors and carpets are often stained or damaged by meth chemicals that can include liquids such as hydrochloric acid. A former meth lab may also have brand new flooring and carpets, which can signal that the previous flooring was damaged because of meth lab chemical spills.

Fixer-upper buyers beware! Also, keep in mind that meth lab homes may look brand new and not show any of the damages you see in the pictures listed here. Unscrupulous sellers who buy meth lab homes at rock bottom prices often cover stains with carpeting and new flooring and paint walls to minimize any questions or concerns about the home from prospective buyers or renters.

Burned grass or vegetation

Meth lab cooks may cook meth outdoors or burn empty pseudoephedrine packages or blister packaging for cold, allergy, and sinus medicines, to avoid raising the suspicion of anyone seeing the tell-tale meth signs in their trash. Cooking outdoors is remote locations in another way to avoid being detected by neighbors who may smell the chemicals they’re cooking. Cooking outdoors also keeps their homes from getting contaminated or exposing their children to the hazardous chemicals they’re cooking with. If you see burn pits, stained soil or dead vegetation it may indicate areas where meth lab chemicals have been dumped.

Kitty Litter

Kitty Litter is often used by meth lab cooks to soak up spilled chemicals. In the first picture, a meth lab cook uses this kitty litter container as part of their meth manufacturing process. Tubing is commonly found at meth labs, where it is often connected to a variety of containers.

Do you see kitty litter in unusual locations? It could indicate that someone used it to absorb a chemical spill.

Housekeeping

When someone is addicted to meth, meth is ALL THAT MATTERS. The effect of meth on users makes it difficult for them to get organized and keep the kind of focus it would take to keep their house neat and tidy.

Renters who are using meth and/or making meth will try to avoid having their landlord come in to inspect their home, due to its condition and to prevent the landlord from seeing anything that might evoke questions. Neighbors and other visitors are also avoided by meth lab cooks, for the same reasons.

Windows are often covered or blacked-out to keep prying eyes from seeing inside.

Strange Plumbing

Strange plumbing, vent systems, and/or electrical connections in a house should make you question why someone would have a plumbing, wiring, or electrical system like that in their house, basement, attic, or garage. Could the plumbing be installed to make it easier to dump chemicals without being detected by anyone outside of the house?

Could venting systems be installed in basements to vent out meth lab fumes? Are electrical outlets or wiring found in weird places?

Glassware

Police often find different types of glassware in meth labs, including glass bottles, jugs, and glass cooking containers.

Warning to First Responder, be on guard! This could be a Hazardous Materials Incident.

Suicides involving hydrogen sulfide gas are increasing. Incidents have been reported in all fifty states, most recently in Castaic, California on 23 February 2010. First responders should be aware of the indicators of hydrogen sulfide suicides, and should follow their agencies’ response and personal protection procedures for hazardous materials incidents.

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable, toxic gas that has a strong odor of rotten eggs at low concentrations. The odor alone is not a reliable indicator of its presence because high concentrations or continuous exposure deadens the sense of smell. The toxicity depends on the concentration of the reactive sulfur and acid in the source chemicals. Hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air and may collect in low areas. It is highly flammable and explosive between four percent and 45 percent concentration in the air and may travel to a source of ignition and flash back.

Standard Operating Guidelines are the means of conveying the normal or accepted policies or practices for operational or administrative matters. If you’re the person or persons creating them for your organization, then you know they are difficult to craft from scratch.

Instead of trying reinvent the wheel, I’ve placed some of our here for your review. Just keep in mine some are old, new, drafts. Some are currently in use, never been used or have been rescinded.

You’re free to use, change or modify them to your organization needs.

Special thanks goes out to numerous response groups and regulatory organizations for their assistance in making ours SOG’s possible.